Fairtrade farmers and workers share ownership of the Fairtrade system, are active participants in standard-setting and are driving change in their communities through Fairtrade’s innovative programmes.

“Fairtrade is a change agent. It promotes a new way of being; producers farm more responsibly, companies do business more responsibly and consumers purchase more responsibly,” says Raul del Águila, one of four producer representatives on of the Board of Fairtrade International. “And it works because it’s about involving people throughout the whole system in deciding and making this change.”

Farmers and workers are reaping the benefits from this approach: the number of producer organizations grew by 10% last year to 991, representing over 1.2 million farmers and workers. Fairtrade Premium payments also grew to reach 65 million euros.

Fairtrade International’s Highlights from 2011-2012 include:

Producer Leadership in Decision-Making

Historic decision to increase producer representation in the General Assembly to 50%, an equal voice in Fairtrade’s highest decision-making body

Vice Chair position now held by a producer network representative, Marike de Peña